Sundew

(Drosera rotundifolia L. = Round-leaved Sundew,
D. anglica Huds.em.Smith = Great Sundew,
D. intermedia Hayne = Long-leaved Sundew, Droseraceae)

Description: Small perennial plant, 5-25cm (210in) high, stem slender, glabrous, reddish, often curved. Leaves broadly oval or circular, 5-10mm (0.2-0.4in) in diameter, with long petioles, bearing abundant glandular hairs up to 10mm (0.4in) long each secreting a mucilaginous droplet even under dry conditions. Flowers 5-8mm (0.2-0•3
in), white. The plant is insectivorous, the glandular hairs of the leaves retaining the insect which is then absorbed by the digestive juices secreted by the leaf.

Part Used: The flowering plant (freed from roots), either fresh or dried.

Habitat and Collection: In bogs and wet places or moist woods throughout Britain, but not abundant.

Constituents and Action: Little known. Plumbagine and hydroxy-plumbagine (=droserone) are antispasmodics. Flavonoids. Used as an expectorant for spasmodic, tickling coughs and in whooping cough.

Usage: Generally as a tincture (10-20 drops in water three times daily or inproprietary preparations for whooping cough; at times also used for more persistent coughing.